About Hugh de Mortimer, Lord of Wigmore

Hugh married Maud de Meschines. Maud was born about 1126/1144, lived in Harrington, Northumberland, England. She was the daughter of William de Meschines and Cecily de Rumilly. She died after 1190 .

Children:

i. Roger de Mortimer was born about 1155, lived in Wigmore, Herefordshire, England and died on 24 Jun 1214 in Wigmore, Herefordshire, England .

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Hugh de Mortimer (before 1117 to 26 Feb 1180/1) was a Norman English medieval baron.

Between 1148 and 1153 Hugh married Maud Le Meschin, daughter of William Le Meschin, lord of Skipton, Yorkshire, and Cecily de Rumilly. Matilda was the widow of Philip Belmeis of Tong. Their son Roger Mortimer of Wigmore succeeded his father as lord of Wigmore. -------------------- Founded Wigmore Abbey -------------------- Hugh de Mortimer was a Norman English medieval baron.

He was also called Hugo II de Mortemer.

During the anarchy of King Stephen's reign, Hugh was an ardant royalist until at least 1148. This was because Wigmore Castle had been confiscated from his father by King Henry I. He only seems to have returned to England from his Norman estates in 1137.

He did quarrel violently with his neighboring Lords, most notably with Miles, Earl of Hereford, his son Roger, and Josse de Dinant, lord of Ludlow. The latter ambushed Hugh and only released him after the payment of a substantial ransom. During this time Hugh also took over the Royal castle at Bridgnorth.

Hugh succeeded his brother Roger I as lord of Wigmore in 1153.

Hugh was one of the Barons who objected to Henry II's demand for the return of royal castles in 1155. King Henry II launched a campaign in May 1155 against Hugh, simultaneously besieging his three principal castles of Wigmore, Bridgnorth, and Cleobury.

On 7 July 1155, Hugh formally submitted to Henry II at the Council at Bridgnorth. He was allowed to keep his own two castles (though Cleobury had been destroyed during the siege) but Bridgnorth returned to the crown

He married Matilda le Meschin, daughter of William le Meschines of Egremont, Lord of Copeland and Cecilia de Rumelio, before 1158.

son of RALPH [I] de Mortimer & his [second/third wife Mabel ---/---] (-Cleobury [26 Feb] [1180/81], bur Wigmore). A manuscript narrating the foundation of Wigmore Abbey names “Radulpho de Mortuomari…filium suum Hugonem”[218]. Ralph is named as the father of Hugh in other sources which are quoted below. Debate surrounding Hugh [II] de Mortimer has focussed on whether there was one individual named Hugh Mortimer or two, father and son, during the 12th century. The difficulty is that Hugh [II]´s career would have been unusually long if there had been only one person named Hugh. Eyton proceeds on the assumption that there was only one Hugh [II] de Mortimer, who was the father of Roger de Mortimer (who died in 1214)[219]. He bases this on the manuscript narrating the foundation of Wigmore Abbey, which is quoted throughout this section of the present document, although he does suggest that the document is unreliable[220]. More recently, Paul Remfry has also suggested that there was only one Hugh [II] de Mortimer[221]. All the sources which are quoted below suggest a continuous career of one individual, there being no hint about a succession from father to son during the period in question. The Complete Peerage, on the other hand, suggests that it "would seem a chronological impossibility" if there had been only one Hugh de Mortimer, considering that Ralph [I] de Mortimer was already married to his second wife in 1088 and that his supposed grandson Roger de Mortimer died in 1214[222]. It is true that, if we assume that Hugh [II] was born in the last years of the 11th century, he must have been in his late eighties or early nineties if he died in [1180/81]. However, this assumes that (1) Ralph [I]´s second wife was the mother of Hugh [II], and (2) that Ralph [II] died at the beginning of the 12th century. Neither of these assumptions would be correct if Hugh [II] was born from an otherwise unrecorded third marriage of Ralph [I], and if Ralph [I] survived some years after his last appearance in the sources in 1104. Both of these possibilities are discussed further above. Another apparent indication that there must have been two persons named Hugh de Mortimer is the dating of Hugh´s known marriage. This marriage with Matilda, widow of Philip de Belmeis, could not have taken place much before 1150 (her first husband was living in 1145). At that time, Hugh [II] would have been in his fifties if he had been born at the turn of the century. The chronology is thus difficult, but certainly not an "impossibility". Two other facts point to Hugh [II] having a long career. Firstly, William of Newburgh refers to Hugh as "nobilem annis jam plurimis" in 1155[223]. Secondly, the Anglo-Norman history of the foundation of Wigmore abbey records that "Sir Hugh de Mortimer" died "at a good old age".

Hugh´s first documented appearance in the sources dates to before 1130: "…Hugone de Mortuomari…" witnessed the charter under which "Giroldus abbas S. Luciani Bellovacensis" confirmed the foundation of the abbey by "Stephano comiti Albæmarlensi"[224]. Although the document is undated, its wording suggests that Etienne Comte d´Aumâle was still alive at the time, therefore dating it to before 1130. Hugues Archbishop of Rouen confirmed donations to Saint-Victor-en-Caux by charter dated 1137, including property "apud Wellas" {Veules, commune de Saint-Valéry} in "feudo Hugonis de Mortuo mari" and property "apud Sanctum Victorem" donated by "Radulfi de Mortuo mari et filii eius Hugonis", the property described in an earlier part of the same document as "de feudo Hugonis de Mortuo mari"[225]. "Hugo de Mortuo mari" confirmed the donations made "tam a patre meo Radulfo, quam ab avo meo Rogerio" to Saint-Victor-en-Caux, and other past donations including all donations of property in England "antequam duxissem uxorem", by undated charter issued "in communi expeditione Domini Normannie", witnessed by "Hugonem et Vuillelmum filios meos…Ricardum de Altifago…Renaldum de Vassumvilla…Brianim de Jai et Heliam patrem eius…Vuillelmum fratrem meum…"[226]. In 1144, he initiated the reconquest of the Marches conquered by the Welsh after the death of King Henry I, capturing Rhys ap Howel in 1145, killing Meredith ap Madog in 1146, and blinding the former in 1148[227]. The Annales Cambriæ record that "Hugo de Mortuo Mari" captured "Resum filium Hoeli" in 1145, killed "Maredut filium Madauc filium Ithuert" in 1146, and blinded "Resum filium Hoeli" in prison in 1148[228]. William of Newburgh records that "Hugonem de Mortuomari virum fortem et nobilem annis jam plurimis" ("annis jam plurimis" indicating that the passage refers to Hugh [I]) refused to surrender "castro de Brigia" to King Henry II, dated to 1155[229]. Robert de Torigny records that "Hugo de Mortuo Mari, vir arrogantissimus et de se præsumens" fortified "castella sua" against the king, who captured and destroyed "Bruge, Wigemore, Cleoberei", in 1155, but adding in a later passage in the same year that "Non Jul…Hugo de Mortuo Mari" made peace with the king and "castellis Bruge et Wigemore" were returned[230]. The Complete Peerage says that Hugh [II] "seems to have died in the period [1148/50]"[231]. However, the passage from William of Newburgh, quoted above, indicates that Hugh [II] survived into the reign of King Henry II. “H. de Mortuomari” donated property to Kington St Michael, for the soul of “Rogeri fratris mei”, by undated charter[232]. "Hugo de Mortuo Mari" founded Wigmore abbey by charter witnessed by "the Lord Hugh de Lacy, the Lord Robert Corbet, the Lord Robert Rowles…" (undated, but the names of the witnesses suggest dating to the 1170s), the charter quoted in a charter of King Henry VIII dated 1509[233]. The Red Book of the Exchequer records enfeoffments in the duchy of Normandy in [1172], "Hugo de Mortuo Mari" with 5 knights and 13 knights and one half in his own service[234]. "H. de Mortuomari" donated the church of Vatterville to Saint-Victor-en-Caux by charter dated to after 1179, witnessed by "Hugone filio meo, Rogero filio meo…Willelmo fratre meo, Willelmo nepote meo…Reginaldo de Vassunvilla…"[235]. A manuscript narrating the foundation of Wigmore Abbey records that Hugh died “26 Feb 1185”[236]. The Annals of Worcester record the death in 1185 of “Hugo de Mortuo Mari, fundator abbathiæ de Wiggemore” and his burial “ad ostium capituli Wigorniæ”[237]. An Anglo-Norman history of the foundation of Wigmore abbey records that "Sir Hugh de Mortimer" died "at Cleobury at a good old age and full of good works" ("en bone veleste et pleine de bones eovres"), was buried at Wigmore, and succeeded by his son Roger who "was held in the king´s keeping for the death of one named Cadwallan"[238].

m ([1150]) as her second husband, MATILDA de Rumilly, widow of PHILIP de Belmeis, daughter of WILLIAM FitzRanulf Meschin, of Skipton-in-Craven & his wife Cecily de Rumilly (-after 1189[239]). The Complete Peerage explains the the documents which confirm her parentage and second marriage[240]: including (1) pleadings in a suit concerning land at Kimbolton, Hampshire, and in a suit dated Jan 1282 in the Chester County Court, which both name Roger de Mortimer as son and heir of "Maud la Meschine"[241]; (2) Roger Mortimer´s grant of rents in Bisley given to him by "his brothers Philip and Ranulph de Belmeis"[242]; (3) “Philippus de Belmeis” founding Lilleshall Abbey, Shropshire by undated charter, witnessed by “Philippus filius Philippi de Belmis…domina Matilda filia Willielmi Meschin uxor prædicti Philippi de Belmis…”[243]. A manuscript narrating the foundation of Wigmore Abbey records that she was “Matildem Longespey, filiam Willielmi Longespey, ducis Normanniæ”[244] but this is confused and cannot possibly be correct. The undated charter, under which "Hugo de Mortuo mari" confirmed various donations to Saint-Victor-en-Caux and other past donations including all donations of property in England "antequam duxissem uxorem"[245], indicates that Hugh married only once.

Hugh de Mortimer (before 1117 to 26 Feb 1180/1) was a Norman English medieval baron.

Contents

1 Lineage

2 Anarchy

3 Private Wars

4 Opposition to King Henry II

5 Marriage & issue

6 Notes

7 Sources

Lineage

The son of Hugh de Mortimer (b ? - d 26 Feb 1148/50) and grandson of Ranulph de Mortimer, he was Lord of Wigmore Castle, Cleobury Mortimer and at times, Bridgnorth, Bishop's Castle and Maelienydd.

Anarchy

During the Anarchy of King Stephen's reign, Mortimer was an ardant royalist until at least 1148. This was because Wigmore Castle had been confiscated from his father by King Henry I. He only seems to have returned to England from his Norman estates in 1137.

Private Wars

He did quarrel violently with his neighbouring Lords, most notably with Miles, earl of Hereford, his son Roger and Josce de Dinan, lord of Ludlow. The latter ambushed Mortimer and only released him after the payment of a substantial ransom. During this time Mortimer also took over the Royal castle at Bridgnorth. [edit]Opposition to King Henry II

Hugh was one of the Barons who objected to Henry II's demand for the return of Royal castles in 1155. Henry II launched a campaign in May 1155 against Hugh, simultaneously besieging his three principal castles of Wigmore, Bridgnorth and Cleobury. On 7 July 1155, Hugh formally submitted to Henry II at the Council at Bridgnorth. He was allowed to keep his own two castles (though Cleobury had been destroyed during the siege) but Bridgnorth returned to the crown.[1]

Marriage & issue

Between 1148 and 1155 Hugh married Maud le Meschin (also known as Maud/Matile du Bessin), daughter of William le Meschin, Lord of Skipton, Yorkshire, and Cecily de Rumilly. Maud (Matilda) was the widow of Philip Belmeis of Tong. Hugh and Maud's son Roger Mortimer of Wigmore succeeded his father as Lord of Wigmore. Hugh and Maud had three other sons, Hugh (killed in a tournament), Ralph, and William. Hugh may have died 26 Feb 1180/81 in Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, England, and was buried at Wigmore.[2]